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Sunday, July 7, 2013

SOME NEW PRODUCTS TASTED THIS MONTH --

1. Sokol Blosser Evolution White NV, +206870 LCBO, $16.95: here is the 16th edition of this wine (marked on the label; there is no vintage date). It's one of the leading US white wine blends, with elements of nine grapes (pinot gris, pinot blanc, white riesling, Semillon, muscat canelli, gewurztraminer, chardonnay, sylvaner and muller-thurgau). Probably only muscat and gewurztraminer really matter when it comes to upfront grapey, tropical, and spicy tones. The rest contribute raciness and mineral/lemon complexities. The balance changes each year depending on what the vintage bears fruit, but the nine grapes apparently remain the same. Lush, off-dry flavours of tropicality, perfect for summer sipping (and light enough at 12% ABV). Goes with any food that is hot and/or spicy. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

2. Sokol Blosser Evolution Red NV: currently only on consignment through PMA, price about the same as for Ev White. It leans more to a party wine, with its red fruit from the sangiovese and sweet pie spices and vanilla from the added syrah and montepulciano. There are even some aromatics created by the addition of a bit of Evolution White, sort of like a Northern Rhone wine which has some viognier added. 13% ABV here is enough to make you dance. If you need food, try the grill for meats or pastas. It has been around the US for a year or so (this is touted as just "2nd edition"), but only recently here in Ontario.Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

5. Umberto Fiore Barbaresco 2008 DOCG, +254870 LCBO $16.05: a great bargain since it was introduced in an earlier vintage. Fiore used to produce my fave inexpensive Italian red, the Spanna (1978 and 1983 were the best), coming in decades ago at $4.25. So here, with a modest price bump, is a well-aged nebbiolo showing all the Barolo/Barbaresco complexities, if a bit light. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

6. Domaine Boyar Cabernet Sauvignon Boyar 2011 Bulgaria, +340851 LCBO $7.95: East European wines don't seem to get the respect they deserve, but they sell well to an overtaxed populace (like the UK) who demand value. It's a typical MVC Cabernet with black fruit, spices, anise, mocha, and some plumy depth. It's a kind of Spartacus wine from Thoracian vineyards. Twist top, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

7. Badischer Winzerkeller Pinot Noir Spatburgunder Baden, +231373 LCBO $9.95: a non-vintage lightweight in the pinot sweepstakes, but the AP number seems to indicate that this is a bottling from the 2009 vintage. Expect light aromas of cherries and other red fruits but no wood tones. Quality/Price rating is 85 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

8. Badischer Winzerkeller Gewurztraminer 2011 Baden, +336735 LCBO $10.95: this is a serious gewurztraminer, worthy of your consideration. It has been one my faves since it first came here about eight years ago. 12% ABV, full of lush fruit (including lychee) that is off-dry and beguiling. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

9. Arnold Palmer Chardonnay 2011 California, $24.99 Consumer price, Consignment from HHD Imports: a very nice chardonnay that just misses the mark of being a "California" chardonnay. There is MVC here, but it is on the lightish side, more like a cool climate chardonnay from the Pacific Northwest. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

10. Arnold Palmer Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 California, $24.99 Consumer price, Consignment from HHD Imports: a very nice cabernet sauvignon that just misses the mark of being a "California" cabernet. There is MVC here, but it needs more concentration. More like a cool climate cabernet from Washington State. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

16. La Croix D'Azur Sauvignon Blanc 2011 IGP Cotes de Gascogne, +330928, $11.95 LCBO: only the second Gascony white to appear on the LCBO General List of late (the other is Domaine Pellechaut). This one is a bit drier, more in tune with the savvy grape. There's about 15% gros manseng, a local grape, to flesh out the spine. It's a nicely tart zesty citrus-y savvy for summer, with a great finish for food. A bit too dry for sitting around the deck, but useful as an aperitif or first course white. 11.5% ABV, twist top. Good price. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

Dean Tudor, Ryerson University Journalism Professor EmeritusTreasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of CanadaLook it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com